We are
Collaborative
partners.

Ignition.

Our Directors

Peter Meurer

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sydney Australia

I have over 40 years’ experience as an Executive Director and senior business leader in the finance sector. I have a strong focus on strategy and deep knowledge of corporate finance, including equity raisings, debt financing, corporate advisory and M&A. Previously, I’ve held senior positions at Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and McIntosh/Baring Securities. Most recently, I was Executive Chairman at Nomura Investment Bank in Australia. I’m also a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. I joined Ignition in August 2015.

LinkedIn

Russell Scrimshaw

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Non-Executive Director, Sydney Australia

I have over 30 years’ experience as a senior executive, business leader and philanthropist. I spent my earlier career at CBA, Optus, Amdahl in the US and IBM Australia. Most recently, I was Founding Executive Director and Deputy CEO of Fortescue Metals Group and Chairman of UK-listed Sirius Minerals PLC. I am Chairman of the Garvan Foundation and Non-Executive Director of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. I also hold a Doctorate of Business (DBA) and have been an Associate Member of CPA for over 40 years. I joined Ignition in December 2020.

LinkedIn

Mike Giles

Co-founder and Executive Director, Sydney Australia

I have 30 years’ experience in financial services software development. During this time, I have managed and built solutions in Australia, the UK and the US for CBA, Westpac, Barclays, Lloyds and Microsoft. I’m a serial entrepreneur and previously founded, scaled and exited two enterprise technology companies – Invisic into Silicon Valley in 2002 and WealthPoint into Asia in 2006.

LinkedIn

Mark Fordree

Co-founder and Executive Director, Sydney Australia

I have over 35 years global experience across funds management, stockbroking, corporate advisory and venture capital. I have held several C-level roles at leading financial institutions, including Potter Warburg (UBS), ANZ Bank and ABN AMRO. With a focus on technology, innovation and disruption, I have successfully founded two start-ups and currently serve as a key member on both boards.

LinkedIn

Terry Donohoe

Group CEO and Executive Director, Dublin Ireland

I oversaw Ignition’s expansion into the Europe and UK markets and have 25 years’ experience in financial services including technology, operations and propositional transformation strategies and implementations. Prior to Ignition, I was a founder and CEO of Omnium Investment Platform and Commercial Director for Natulis Group AG.

LinkedIn

Paul McMahon

Non-Executive Director, England, United Kingdom

I have 35 years’ experience as a business leader in the UK and European Financial Services sectors. I was a member of the Management Boards of Zurich, AXA and Aegon, then CEO of FNZ, before establishing my own advisory and interim Executive firm. I’ve worked with organisations such as Legal & General, BCG, Prudential and M&G plc. I have a long history of successfully deploying digital technologies to enhance business performance and played a significant role in establishing the investment platform sector in the UK. I joined Ignition in April 2021.

LinkedIn

Ken Lambden

Non-Executive Director, London,United Kingdom

I over 35 years’ of experience in financial services.  My most recent executive role was as Chief Executive Officer at J O Hambro Capital Management. Previous roles include Chief Investment Officer at Baring Asset Management; Head of Equities, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Executive Officer at Schroders Australia; and Global Head of Equities of Schroder Investment Management. I am currently a Non-executive Director of Quilter Financial Planning, where I also serve as Chairman of the Investment Oversight Committee. I have also served as a Non-executive Director of RWC Investment Management. While my heritage is Australian, I have been based in London for the last 20 years.

LinkedIn

Our Team

Craig Keary

Senior Asia Pacific Advisor, Sydney Australia

I’m a Senior Global Financial Services Managing Director with over 30 years’ experience. I’ve worked across Asia and Europe including as a Director and responsible officer and member of responsible entity boards. Recently I was based in Tokyo as Managing Director Asia Pacific of AMP Capital. I’m an active advocate for cross-cultural inclusion and improving wellbeing. I’m currently undertaking a PhD focusing my research on the Financial Planning Industry. I joined Ignition in April 2021.

LinkedIn

Andrew Baker

Global Head of Strategy & Corporate Services, Sydney Australia

I have over 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry in a range of senior roles in Australia and Europe, including founding industry consulting firm Tria Investment Partners in 2004. More recent roles include Global Partner and UK & EMEA lead of NMG Consulting’s London practice; and Head of Proposition, Product & Strategy at AustralianSuper. In this role I will provide assistance and guidance to Ignition’s senior management and board in developing and executing the business’s strategy in the Asia Pacific region, and broader global pension fund strategy.

LinkedIn

Eric Welsby

Chief Commercial Officer - Europe, England, United Kingdom

With 23 years industry experience I have held a series of leadership roles within retail financial services technology firms. Prior to Ignition I was the Global Head of Product and Strategy for Bravura Solutions having held a number of Executive roles at the company including Sales Director for EMEA as well as leading Bravura’s M&A team. Prior to Bravura I was the deputy CEO of EQ investors, a regulated Wealth Management, traditional Advice and Hybrid Advice business.

LinkedIn

Marcus Gay

Head of Development, Sydney Australia

I am a senior IT manager with over 20 years’ experience in software development. I’ve developed and led teams through many transformations. Prior to Ignition, I was Group General Manager – Business Support Systems at Vocus and General Manager – IT Services at M2 Group.

LinkedIn

Meagan McNeil

Head of Product, Sydney Australia

I believe that everyone deserves financial wellness – the confidence to make decisions and control their money. I have 15 years’ experience in financial services, and as an internationally certified product manager, I’ve led significant transformation and change initiatives, including technology-enabled financial advice. These projects have helped thousands of advisers and customers, improving the quality and reach of financial advice and driving customer advocacy and loyalty.

LinkedIn

Will Drew

Chief Operations Officer Europe, England, United Kingdom

I have 20 years of experience working with clients across a range of industry sectors to implement and optimise technology solutions. Prior to joining Ignition, I was Head of Account Management for Bravura Solutions – a global provider of software solutions.  Before that I was a Director within the Technology Consulting practice at Deloitte where I specialised in digital transformation.

As COO Europe, I am responsible for overseeing client services associated with Ignition’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) proposition and will work closely with existing clients to optimise these relationships and oversee the business expansion to onboard new clients within the UK and Europe

LinkedIn

Craig Weber

Head of Advice and Content, Sydney Australia

With over 20 years of experience in financial services and advice, I’ve worked for several prominent institutions, including AMP, Commonwealth Bank and Zurich. I have a deep knowledge of financial advice across multiple functions, including compliance, operations, risk management and advice business leadership. I’m passionate about improving access to quality financial advice. At Ignition, I lead our advice and content strategy, including building and maintaining our advice algorithms.

LinkedIn

Natalie Kleibert

Head of Marketing, Sydney Australia

I have over 25 years’ experience in marketing, operations and product across life insurance, superannuation and investments. I have held senior marketing roles at the AFA, NEOS Life and TAL. I am deputy chair and board director of a pro bono financial advice network and am proud to work in an industry that improves lives by helping customers make better financial decisions. I joined Ignition Advice in March 2021.

LinkedIn